Fast Paced | 18+

Chapter 35

I made my way to my closet to put my bag down. I was making small strides in moving in so I wanted to make sure everything was where it should be. They gave me a room specifically for getting ready. There was a huge closet, a vanity, and clothing racks for styling pieces. I put the bags down, turned around, and walked straight into a chest. I knew it was Caleb before I looked up. I just put my hands around him.

"What did my princess buy?" He snakes his hands around my waist.

"Water guns." I looked up.

"Let me see them."

"Give me a kiss first." He pecked my lips.

"That's not the kind I want." He held my face and kissed me passionately.

"Mmm."

He pulled back, "Now show me."

I picked out the sets and showed him.

"That looks good against your skin."

"Thank you. A lady told me that too so I got it. She was also Italian."

"Was she?"

He was watching me put things away.

"Yes. She said she was looking for some of my work on my site, but I haven't gotten around to putting the new work on yet. I should do that tonight. Her name was Chiara. Such a pretty name." I looked up after putting them away. He seemed tense.

"What's wrong?" I pulled his shirt to hug him again.

"Where did you meet her?"

"In a boutique downtown. I don't remember the name." He nodded but his body felt rigid in my arms.

"What Cal? Did I say something?"

"No, no. I-

He blew out and looked down at me.

"My birth mother. That's her name. When I found out she wanted to meet me I saw her name and I can't seem to forget it." He sighed.

"Oh. I wouldn't have said it if I knew."

"No, it's fine."

"Have you thought about meeting her?" He looked at me.

"I don't want to remind her of a life she didn't want or that I may have ruined for her."

"Did she say that to you?"

"No, but that's what I feel like I did." I nodded because I didn't want to give advice where none was wanted.

"What do you think?"

"What if she had no option? You don't have to have her in your life but it's obvious it's on your mind. Talk to her if you feel like you want answers. If you don't like them leave, you don't owe her anything, Caleb. Hou can leave."

He kissed me and smiled softly, "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Would you come with me?"

"Of course."

"I'll reach out to her after we come back from Texas."

"Okay."

"When are we going again?" I told them to pick a date, or I wouldn't go at all.

"Thursday."

"When are we going to your parents?"

"When do you want to go?"

"Tomorrow or is that too soon?"

"Tomorrow it is."

"And they want to meet me?"

"Yes. They asked about you today."

"Okay."

"Why are you nervous?"

"What if they don't like me? Or do they think I shouldn't be with both of you? Or-

"Stop." I stopped talking.

"They will like you because I love you. They will like you because Alex loves you. I don't see what's not to love about my baby anyway." He dropped a kiss on my forehead.

"You're so sweet. Like a teddy bear."

"A teddy bear? Are we looking at the same man?" Alex asked standing by the door.

"Yes, both of you are like teddy bears."

"Teddy bears?" They said in unison.

"Yes. Oh, I forgot about Olivia. I'll be back." Alex pulled me.

"Give me a kiss." I kissed him like I wanted him to put me on my knees. He pulled back and chuckled.

"Go."

I knew it was a warning so I left in a hurry to find Liv.

"Olivia. I'm sorry. I got carried away talking to Caleb."

"It's fine that cake was so good." She exhaled like she was content.

"But I think I ate too much of it. Can you call me, I don't know where my phone is."

"Babe it's in your hand."

She lazily walked to the living room.

I called Adrien to get her because she was now slumped on the chair.

"Adrien."

"Hey, Ren. What's up?"

"I think I gave her too much sweets." He laughed.

"I'm coming. Is she sleeping?"

"No. She is watching cartoons I think." I peeped into the living room and laughed when I saw her lying upside down with the remote in her hand.

"Put her on." I gave her the phone.

"Yes?...We can?... Okay...I love you too." She hung up. I gave her water, and she seemed fine after.

I sat with her and made sure she was okay. I told her that ice cream was too much.

"I'm not eating any more sugar."

"I don't know how you don't get a headache."

Adrien came and got her.

I took a shower and then headed back to the living room to update my site with pictures of my new paintings and a brief description.

"Baby?" Alex and Caleb said walking towards me and sitting on the couch.

"Yes?"

"What are your plans tonight?" Alex asked.

"Whatever it is you want." I put the last one up and looked at them.

"We have an investors dinner. You don't have to go. But we wanted to ask." Caleb asked fixing my pink headband on his head.

"Do you want me there?" I repositioned it and he kissed my cheek.

"Yes."

"Okay. Then I'll go."

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